Sintering machine



B. G. KLUGH SINTERING MACHINE Filed June 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i: iii.

rliufen'tgi t Tney Nov. 6, 1928. V

' B. G. KLUGH SINTERING MACHINE Filed' June 50, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Inxfen or v Lz Lm.

' essence o Patented Nov. e, 1928.

UNITED STATES I 1,690,231 PATENT OFFICE.

BETHUNE G. KLUGH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To AMERICAN OItERECLAMA- TION COIPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

. smrmi'me MACHINE.

Application filed June 30, 1926. SerialNo. 119,518.

The present invention relates to sintering machines ofthe Dwight andLloyd type, wherein a plurality ofgrates or pallets are arranged totravel continuously around a closed track, to form, in one part of theirtravel, a continuous moving grate on which the ore or, other material issintered. More specifically, the invention pertains to improved meansfor governing the travel of veyed during the sintering thereof to theopposite end of the machine where the completel sintered ore isdischarged. The close track on which these pallets travel generallyconsists of anupper track section and a lower track section, joined atthe ends by curved track sections.- The pallets moving along the up ertrack section form the moving rate surface on which the ore is sintered.he pallets are slowly ropelled around the closed track by a sproc etwheel located at one end of the machine, generally llngs, wherein I haveillustrated a preferred the feeding end.

Because of the variable expansion and com traction of the train ofpallets resulting from the heat changes arising in the operat1on of themachine, it is necessary that an expansion space or gap be left in thetrain to accommodate these expansions andcoiitractions. The

point where the expansion space is maintained isof decided importance inthe successful operation of the machine, and the the present inventionpertains to improved means for constantly maintaining this expansion saeeat a particular point in the closed track. For example, thisexpansion space should not be permitted to occur between the palletsforming the continuous grate surface on the upper stretch of the track,as this ate surface is passing over suction flues w ich stimulate thecombustion of the ore, and if the pallets were allowed to separate atthis point, it would result in a considerable loss of suction betweenthe spaced pallets. Any space betweenthe pal-.

lets on this upper track section would also permit the ore to drop downbetween the allets as the pallets pass under the ore feedmg hopper...Furthermore, this expansion space should not be permitted to occur atthe discharge end of the machine, where the pallets swing down aroundthe curvedend of the track in discharging the sintered ore, as it' hasbeen found that if this does occur, there is the likelihood that some ofthe sintered ore will lodge between the aallets, destroy ing theiraccurately spaced hence rendering the machine liable to serious m urythrough inaccurate meshing of the pallets with the sprocket wheel.

It is the fundamental object of the present invention to overcome thediificulties heretofore encountered in the proper maintenance of thisexpansion space by providing simplified and improved means which willeffectively hold all of the pallets in bunched, contacting relationalong the upper track section and around the discharge end thereof, andwhich will maintain the expansion space at a point in the lower tracksection. The improved construction herein disclosed is also so arrangedthat the pallets will feed in contacting'relation from this expansion'point to the s rocket wheel, so that accurate registration etween theteeth of the sprocket wheel and the pallets is assured.

Referring 'now to the accompanying drawembodiment of m invention:'

Figure 1 1s a su e elevational v1ew of a smtering machine embodying theinvention, an

intermediate portion of the machine being relation, and

broken-away sets to bring the ends of the machine within the limiteddimensions of the drawing. r

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional vie on a larger scale t aken on theplane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Fig. 3 1s a fragmentary sectional view taken longitudinally through themachine adjacent the eleetromagnets.

The machine comprises any suitable frame work 5 on whichis-supportedaclosed or endless track 6. The pallets '7 are propelled eontinuouslyaround this track, in the directionindicated, by the s rocket wheel 8 atthe feed ing end of the trac If desired, this driving mechanism mayconsist of two sprocket wheels, one for engaging with each lateraledgeof; the track, these sprocket wheels having teeth thereon adapted toeffect driving engagement with the pallets, as is well understoofi bythose skilled in the art.

The track comprises an upper horizontal portion 11, a lower horizontalportion 12, and two curved end portions 13 and 14, the formerconstituting the discharge end of the machine and the latter guiding thepallets around the sprocket wheel. From the lower horizontal portion 12,an inclined portion 15 leads downwardly to a short horizontal portion 16connecting with the curved end portion 14. The total length of thistrack is greater than the combined lengths of all of the pallets in thetrain so that an expansion space is left in the train of pallets topermit of the variable expansions and contractions referred to above.

The ore to be sintered is discharged into the pallets. after they passup around the sprocket wheel, through a hopper 17. Immediately afterthis charging operation, the pallets pass under an igniting device 18where the surface of the ore is ignited. From this point the palletsproceed slowly along the upper track section where they pass over thesuction flues 19, which draw air down through the pallets, the bottomsof which are foraminous, these currents of air resulting in a rapidcombustion of the ore downwardly through the bed in each pallet. It willbe obvious that durin this travel of the pallets, they should bemaintained in close abutting contact to prevent the ore from fallingbetween the pallets and also to prevent loss of suction as they passover the suction flues 19. The endsof the pallets have substantiallysealed contact with guide surfaces along this portion of the track torevent loss of suction, as will be understoo by those acquainted withthis type of machine.

7 As the allets move down around the curved section 13 of the track,they dro their sintered masses of ore into any suitab e hoper orreceptacle at this end. Here again, it is desirable to maintain thepallets in contacting relation; first, to prevent separation of thepallets along the upper track section 11, and, second, to prevent thesinter from lodging between ad acent pallets during the discharge of thesinter while the pallets pass around this curved track section.

The means which I employ to prevent the separation of the pallets atthese points, comprises-one or more electromagnets 21 which are locatedat the end of the lower horizontal track section 12, and which actmagnetically and frictionally to yieldingly retard the travel of thepallets. As shown in Fig. 2, there are preferably a number of theseelectromagnets, four being shown, disposed transversely of the machineand directly above the pallets on this lower track section. The cores 22of these electromagnets extend downwardly therefrom in close proximityto the adjacent surfaces of the pallets. which surfaces are theundersides thereof. inasmuch as the pallets are inverted at this time.These pallets may be of any suitable construction, consisting, however,of a frame or other portion constructed of iron or steel which will beattracted by the electromagnets. As exemplary of a preferredconstruction of pallet, Fig. 3 illustrates the frame thereof ascomprising a plurality of parallel bars 23 extending between the ends ofthe pallets and joined by transversely extending ribs 24. Pairs ofwheels 25 are supported at each side of the pallet in brackets 26. Thepallet frame defined by the bars 23 and cross ribs 24 has a flat bottomsurface which, in the travel of the pallet along the lower tracksection, is prcscntcdin close proximity to the ends of the magneticcores 22. The edges of these cores are chamfered as indicated at 27 soas to prevent the edges of any of these bottom surfaces from strikingthe edges of the cores.

As each pallet comes under the attractin r influence of theelectromagnets 21, it is lifted bodily off the track rails 12 and ispulled up against the ends of the cores 22. Where upper guide rails orbars 28 are employed, they are raised sufficiently from the rails 12 atthis point so that the pallets will be free to move up against the endsof the cores 22.

Here the pallet will be subjected to the magnetic attraction of theelectromagnets tendinv to hold the pallet against moving beyontl thismagnetic field; and the allet will also be subjected to a relativelyi'eavy friction in its movement across the faces of the cores under thepressure with which the pallet is held to the cores. The result will bethat each pallet in passing the electromagnets 21 will be subjected to arelatively heavy retarding force which will yield only against thefeeding liICSSUIB transmitted through the train of pal ets from thesprocket wheel 8. Thus the series of pallets passin along the uppertrack section 11 and aroun the curved track section 13 will bemaintained in contacting relation, as desired.

Referring to Figure 1, as each pallet is forced past and beyond therestrainin infiuence of the electromagnets 21, it wil roll down thelower inclined track section 15. Thus the expansion space will bemaintained between the pallet which is under the retarding influence ofthe electromagnets and the preceding pallet which has just previouslyrolled down the inclined track 15. The weight of the pallets rollingdown the inclined track section 15 will maintain these pallets incontacting relation and will also maintain the pallets along thehorizontal track section 16 in a connected train so that they will meshproperly with the teeth on the sprocket wheel 8.

The electromagnets 21, shown more or less diagrammatically in Fig. 2,can be supported in any suitable manner between the upper and lowertrack sections, and will be energized from any suitable source ofelectric current. By properly graduating the current flow Inn .retarding increase through the coils, as by a rheost'at or the like,

- cause of their greater magnetic pull, neverto secure by LettersPatent, is

theless, permanent magnets might be employed. If desired, adjacentcores. 22 may be connected across their upper ends so that when a palletframe is engaging with the cores, a closed magnetic circuit or circuitswill be established.

' '1 While I have shown what I consider a preferred adaptation of myinvention, it will, of course, be understood that the essence of theinvention is not limited to this particular means or arrangement, butthat the invention is capable of embodiment in numerous'other forms andwith other means all to-the endof exerting a yielding retarding force onthe pallets.

What I claim as my invention and desire 1. In a sintering machine, atrain of separate pallets or grates, an endless track for the sameincluding a loadin and combustion portion, a discharge portion, a returnportion located below the loading and combustion portion, means forelevating'the pallets or grates from the return portion to the loadingportion of the track, said track being longer than the train of separatepallets or grates to provide expansion space for the.

same, and magnetic means associated with the return ortion of the trackto prevent separation etw'een the pallets or grates'at and around thesaid delivery portion.

2. In a sintering machine, a train of separate pallets or grates, and anendless track of a length providing expansion space for said train,means located at the feed end of the machine for ositively elevatin thepallets or grates an propelling the train of pallets or grates towardand around the delivery end of the machine, and magnetic meansassociated with the return ortion of the track between the delivery. endand the'feed end j of the machine for controlling the travel of saidpallets or grates, whereby to permitseparation of the pallets or gratesonly ata point distant from the delivery end of the machine and torestore contact between them before moving into engagement with the saidelevating and propelling means.

3. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a plurality of palletstraveling about said track and magnetic means for controlling the travelof said allets around said track to retain said pa lets in contactingrelation along a particular portion of said track.

4.In a sintering machine, a train of allets, an endless track of alength provi ing expansion space for said train, means for propellingsaid pallets around said track, and magnetic means cooperating with saidpallets to maintainsaid expansion space at I a particular-point in saidtrack. 4

- 5. In a sintering machine, a train of (palling said pallets aroundsaid track, and an clectroma 'net disposed adjacent the return portionof said track and acting attractively on said pallets to maintain saidexpansion space in the return portion of said track.

6. In a sintering machine, an endless track,

aplurality of pallets travelling about said track, and magnetic meansexerting a frictional retarding force on said pallets to maintain thepallets in predetermined relation in a certain point in said track. 7.In a sinteringmachme, an endless track,

a plurality of pallets travelling about said track, and magnetic meanscomprisin a frictional surface with which said pal ets are adapted tocontact to maintainsaid pallets in predetermined relation at a certainpoint in said track. v

8. In combination, a train of separate traveling members, an endlesstrack for said train, and mechanism for governing the travel of saidmembers on said track comprising a friction surface and cooperatingmagnetic means for causing frictional engagement between said travelingmembers an said friction surface.

i 9. In combination, a track, a traveling member moving along saidtrack, and magnetic means acting magnetically on said member for track.

of travelling members moving: around said track, and magnetic means actattractively on said members for governing the travel thereof aroundsaid track.

11. In a sintering machine, a train of pellets, an endless track aroundwhich. said governing its travel along said- 10. Inicombination, aclosedtrack, a-train pallets are arranged to travel, means exertinga-yielding retarding force on said pallets at one point in said train tomaintain said pallets in predetermined relation at another point in thetrain, and means for varying the intensity of said retarding force. 12.In a sintering machine, a train of allets, an endless track of a lengthprovi ing expansionv space for saidtrain, means for propelling saidpallets around said track, and magnetic means cooperating with saidpallets to maintain said expansion space at a particular point'in saidtrack, said magnetic means comprising a magnet and a cooperatinfrictional surface against which each pa let is drawn by said 'inagnet.

13. In a sintering machine, a train of allets, an endless track of alength provi ing expansion space for said train, means for propellingsaid pallets around said track, and

, means cooperating withsaid pallets to mainmagnets associated with thereturn portion of said track and operative to lift each allet from thereturn portion of the track into engagement with frictional surfacesassociated with said electromagnets.

l5. Ina sintering machine, an endless track, a plurality of palletstravelling about said track, magnetic means for controlling the travelof said pallets around said track to retain said pallets in contactingrelation along a particular portion of said track, and means for varyingthe intensity of action of said magnetic means.

BETHUNE G. KLUGII.

